Save Article

The Lessons of Leonardo: How to Be a Creative Genius

History’s most creative genius, Leonardo da Vinci, was not superhuman, writes Walter Isaacson—and following his methods can bring great intellectual rewards to anyone

By

Walter Isaacson

Sept. 29, 2017 9:03 a.m. ET

Around the time that he reached the unnerving milestone of turning 30, Leonardo da Vinci wrote a letter to the ruler of Milan listing the reasons why he should be given a job. In 10 carefully numbered paragraphs, he touted his engineering skills, including his ability to design bridges, waterways, cannons and armored vehicles. Only at the end, as an afterthought, did he add that he was also an artist. “Likewise in painting, I can do everything possible,” he wrote.